Month: August 2018

Speak of the perfect pout and Kylie Jenner comes to mind. Not so fast, some experts say the slightly overfilled lips may not be the most attractive. In fact, studies show the a certain ratio of the upper to lower lip determines the overall attractiveness of the lips and not the actual volume of the lips. OUR LIPS AGE JUST LIKE OUR SKIN Soft, pillowy lips are a sign of youth. But just like the skin elsewhere on the face and the body, the lips age. Structures that hold the lips in its youthful position sag, resulting in downturned corners of the lips. Older women frequently complain they look unhappy, when they feel quite the opposite. Apart from these, lip ageing results in dehydration and thinning of the lips – the lips lose collagen – a protein that gives lips their youthful plumpness when young, and lip wrinkles develop. The ageing of lips can be blamed on genetics – the thinner lips you started off with, the earlier you Continue Reading

Navigating through school and puberty in general are already tough enough for most kids, some do just fine and others take a bit more time. But if there is something you can count on during teenhood, it is acne. Approximately 80 to 90% of teens deal with a range of acne-related skin problems, usually clogged pores and inflamed acne. In severe cases, deep, hard cystic ones which scar. WHAT CAUSES TEENAGE ACNE In teen acne, the usual acne-causing culprits are the sebaceous (oil) glands. Under normal circumstances, these make sebum – a natural moisturizer for our skin. However, an overproduction of sebum can clog the hair follicles, which are also channels for sweat and oil. This combination of oil, dirt and debris creates a opportunity for bacteria to grow, resulting in pimples. You might be surprised, but doctors have noted that a majority of teenagers do not actually adopt the correct skincare routine to combat acne! A basic anti-acne skincare routine should consist of a facial wash for oily Continue Reading

BY LISA WILLIAMS Long before the birth of skin renewal lasers, Cleopatra already had science on her side, taking milk baths which contained lactic acid to exfoliate and rejuvenate skin, dead sea salts for its mineral healing properties, honey for its hydrating properties and many more. Today we have medical technology on our side, using supercharged lasers to resurface the skin, effectively plumping up skin and erasing away spots, fine lines and wrinkles. But if you thought only those with problem skin needed lasers, that’s where you are wrong. Lasers now come in wavelengths which also target dyschromia or uneven skin tone and also brightens skin, resulting in the coveted dewy photoshop effect. We speak to Dr Kenneth Lee, who founded The Sloane Clinic 15 years ago and now, helms the 8000 sqft large SW1 Clinic. Read More: Drink Up! the Fountain of Youth Found

So maybe some of you can relate to the kind of frustration I have with the 5 odd kilos or so that has proven impossible to shed with any kind of exercise or diet. And I am pretty sure I haven’t been slack about things – I even clean my own house quite regularly, thinking perhaps that extra bit of a meaningful workout might just result in me getting that flatter stomach and smaller waist. CAN WE TARGET AND BURN OFF STUBBORN FAT? I came across a fitness magazine one day and there was this article about targeting stubborn fat and spot reduction. The article wrote that it was impossible to target fat localized in a particular area only. The theory was that we burn fat all over and it was impossible to concentrate fat burning efforts in one place. That is actually incorrect. To burn fat, it needs to be released from the cell i.e. lipolysis. Stubborn fat is stubborn because it releases fat more slowly, and it Continue Reading

BY LISA WILLIAMS You’ve indulged a little, and it’s bloating up your face. Or perhaps you just have a naturally round or squarish face shape that makes you look pudgier than you really are. These tips that will make you look thinner instantly – sans diet and exercise! – may sound like the rare unicorn in the beauty world, but they’re REAL. So should the water start to rise, we’re definitely bringing them on the ark…